Industry News
Private sector teacher loans welcomed
Posted on 11th June 2007
Suggestions that private school teachers could be loaned to state schools have been welcomed by members of Haringey's education community.
Under new government proposals outlining ways in which independent schools would be forced to justify their charitable status, private school teachers could be sent out on loans to state schools.
The potential move was welcomed by Haringey Council cabinet member for children and young people Liz Santry.
She told the Hornsey and Crouch End Journal that local education authorities "actively seek to work with partners" in order to improve education in the borough.
"Experience has shown us that both schools and staff benefit from any sort of sharing of practice," she added.
A spokesperson from the National Union of Teachers shares this view point, telling the BBC that private schools can learn "a massive amount" from state schools.
The biggest problem facing private school teachers who are loaned out will be the size of classes, she said.
"Teaching 30 to 35 pupils is very different from teaching 15 and requires a totally different set of skills and is much more demanding," the spokeswoman concluded.